SEKRENYI
The Angamis celebrate Sekrenyi in the month of February, and it normally falls on the 25th day of the month of “Kezei.”The ten-day festival is also called Phousanyi by the Angamis.
The festival follows a circle of ritual and ceremony, the first being ‘KEZIE”. A few drops of rice water taken from the top of the jug called “ZUMHO” are put into leaves and placed at the three main posts of the house by the lady of the household. The first day begins with all young and old men going to the village well to bathe.
Early the next morning, all the young men goes to the well to wash themselves. The young men will adorn two new shawls and sprinkle water on their breast, knees and right arm to wash away all their ills and misfortunes by the purified well water. On their return from the well, a cock is sacrificed .Beginning from the fourth day, a three day session of singing and feasting starts where the young people of the village sit together and sing traditional songs throughout the day.
On the seventh day, the young men go for hunting. The most important ceremony falls on the eight day when the gate pulling is performed and inter-village visits are exchanged. Until the close of the festival, no one goes to the field and all field work ceases during this season of feasting and song.